The 1993 Nigerian coup d'état was a bloodless military coup which took place in Nigeria on 17 November 1993[1] when the Armed Forces, headed by Defence Minister General Sani Abacha, forced Interim President Chief Ernest Shonekan to resign.[2] Shonekan assumed the interim presidency on 26 August 1993, succeeding General Ibrahim Babangida as head of state, in the aftermath of Babangida's annulment of the 12 June 1993 presidential election.[3][4] In a nationwide broadcast following the coup, Abacha cited the stagnant nature of Shonekan's government, and his inability to manage the democratic process in the country as a cause of his resignation. In September 1994, Abacha issued a decree that placed his government above the jurisdiction of the courts, effectively giving him absolute power. Another decree gave him the right to detain anyone for up to three months.[5]
Abacha stayed in power until his death on 8 June 1998 at the presidential complex (Aso Villa) in Abuja.[6][7] He was succeeded by the Chief of the Defence Staff Major General Abdulsalami Abubakar as head of state.
References
- ^ "Nigerian Military Leader Ousts Interim President". The New York Times. 18 November 1993. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- ^ Ojo, Bamidele A. (1998-01-01). Nigeria's Third Republic: The Problems and Prospects of Political Transition to Civil Rule. Nova Publishers. ISBN 9781560725800.
- ^ Campbell, Ian (1994). Nigeria's Failed Transition: The 1993 Presidential Election. Journal of Contemporary African Studies. pp. 179–199.
- ^ Kenneth B. Noble (June 24, 1993). "Nigerian Military Rulers Annul Election". New York Times.
- ^ "Nigerian Military Ruler Assumes Absolute Power". AP. 7 September 1994 – via The New York Times.
- ^ "BBC News – Nigeria – Abacha dies at 54". bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "General Sani Abacha Profile". Africa Confidential. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
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